Gathering
Jesus drew people to him:
The outcasts, the unpopular, the rabble-rousers and the shunned.
The broken, the bereaved, the battered and the beaten.
The disagreeing, the disagreeable, the argumentative and the vindictive.
The hopeless, the helpless, the hidden and the harassed.
The hopeful, the joyful, the hospitable and the jolly.
The leaders, the followers, the influencers and the influenced.
All were drawn to Jesus as he walked the path to Jerusalem.
But it was in the upper room that Jesus drew together his closest companions.
One final meal, one final gathering, before they were scattered by threat and fear.
Gathered around the table, at Christ’s invitation, to eat and drink in remembrance of a historical exodus.
The disciples sat and argued; who was the greatest, who was the best, who was Jesus’ greatest ally?
Jesus sat and challenged; who would betray him, who would deny him, who would flee the scene?
And yet…
There was still time to eat, and to drink.
In remembrance of the great release from Egyptian slavery for some, and in anticipation of the greatest release from sinful slavery for all.
“Eat this, all of you.”
“Drink this, all of you.”
A body to be broken, blood to be shed.
Eating and drinking of remembrance of the great gathering of scattered souls.
And all for love.
Sharing
Before we eat and drink, we pray:
Gracious God,
We are all invited by Jesus to this gathering of scattered souls,
to eat and drink in remembrance of his sacrifice made once for all on the cross.
We are drawn to the table as Christ says “follow me”,
to take up bread and wine as symbols of sacrificial love and grace,
and to receive from you again with gratitude and thanks.
Amen.
So we eat and drink, in remembrance of the one who died for all.
Pause to eat. Pause to drink.
Sending
We pray:
Loving God,
May we who have joined in this meal,
gathered together in your name,
be known as yours as we are scattered this week.
May we know the hope of risen life,
an empty cross and an empty tomb,
as we walk with you down the paths you lead us,
among the people you draw us to.
Amen.
